We all have them: Those cozy sweats that––thanks to years of washing and wearing––are a bit on the short and worn side. Oh, but they feel so nice. Comfy and soft, exactly as loungewear should be. (Now that I’m typing this, I’m wondering if this is just me. I hope not…)

Today’s project may be the ticket to help you let go of those beauties. Those cozies have been loved, haven’t they?, so why not turn them into a sweet Valentine’s Day kitty, complete with a heart pocket for storing love notes and treats, sure to put a smile on anyone’s face. Perhaps even yours, when you slip into a pair of new lounge pants that fit.

Materials and Supplies

Cozy sweats that you should have parted with years ago

Thread that matches those sweats

Soft pink felt or terry cloth (for the ears and nose)

Felt in your choice of color (for the heart pocket)

Thick thread or floss in black and white for the hand-stitching

Stuffing

Step 1: Cut the main shapes of the cat.

Lay out one pant leg as straight as you can. It’s likely the seam won’t be perfect on the side edges––that’s okay. Once it’s straight, cut off an inch or two on the bottom, taking off the hem that’s already there, then measure 11 inches and cut again. Set that aside. Measure another three inches and cut that strip. Measure another two inches and cut that strip. You should end up with three pieces.

Step 2: Make the ears, nose, arms, and heart.

Take the three inch wide strip of fabric, which is still in a “loop.” Cut the edges so now it is two strips of fabric facing each other. Leaving the fabric facing each other, cut a 3×3 shape twice, so you end up with two sets of square fabrics, wrong sides facing. Cut these into triangles. You’ve got ears!

Take your pink fabric and cut smaller triangles to fit inside the ears you’ve cut. You only need two total. Cut a small heartish nose.

Take your felt fabric and cut out a large heart.

Take the two-inch wide strip of fabric, which also is still in a “loop.” Cut the edges so now it is two strips of fabric facing each other. Round out one edge to become the paws. Assemble the front of your cat and put the ears, nose, and heart in place. Lay the arms where you want them to be, then cut off the extra length.

Step 3: Sew the ears and attach the nose.

Take one of the ear triangles and lay the pink triangle in the middle, moving it more toward the top so you have room to sew the bottom of the ears. Attach the pink triangle with white thread. Do this for the other ear. This is also a good time to quickly stitch the nose in place. Grab the other triangle and stitch the ear together on the sides, leaving the bottom open for stuffing. Do the same to the other ear. Stuff the ears, then using a sewing machine, sew along the edge of each bottom. (You can also do a tight hand-stitch.)

Step 4: Stitch the arms, heart, and face.

Pin the arms and heart in place with the arms just along the side seam. Take a pencil and lightly draw a simple kitty face. I found that keeping the eyes more of a barely curved line was the cutest, which also went for the smile. Once everything looks in a good position, stitch away, starting with the heart and arms. Use the white thread and stitch along the edge with a normal craft stitch, being sure to leave an opening at the top of the heart for the pocket. I went around the whole edge, then came back and finished the inside of the paws holding the heart. Stitch the face with the black thread keeping less space between the stitches.

Step 5: Sew the ears and top.

Flip the cat body inside out. Take the ears and––with the pink facing up toward the face of the kitty and the point going down into the pocket––line up the edges and pin them. (Note: The photo above doesn’t have stitched ears because I did things slightly different the first time. Your ears should be sewed closed.) Make sure they’re close to the side edges. Using the sewing machine, sew them in place. (You can also do a tight hand-stitch.) Take out the pins and pin the whole top closed with the ears still inside. Sew the top with the sewing machine or a tight hand-stitch. Flip it right side out.

Step 6: Stuff and sew!

Stuff your cat to your liking, then pin the bottom closed and sew along the edge with a zig-zag stitch.

Once you’re finished, get comfy with your new buddy and watch your favorite Valentine’s Day movie. Go ahead and fill that pocket with something sweet…no judging here!

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Candace is a true-blood Type A who finds joy in writing, creating, and working on projects with her hubby. She loves her coffee, New-York style pizza, and anything with salted caramel. She believes flowers make everything better, and air plants may be the best thing around. She is the editor and one of the two founders of Citrus and Cream. January 24, 2014 | 2 Comments

2 Comments on Easy Sew Valentine’s Kitty (Made From Recycled Sweats!)

Ohhh this guy is too cute!!! Would you be able to give me an estimate on how long he takes to make? I love that he is made out of sweats (I’m thinking of an old purple sweater that is just begging for an upcycle). For some reason I think it will make his imperfections that much more charming. Thanks for the great tut!

Candace Feely

January 27, 2014 at 9:58 pm (2 years ago)

Hi Steph! It took a couple of hours. I worked on it over a few nights, doing a bit at a time. One way to shave off some time would be to get rid of making the ears and simply using the points on top as the ears. Just stitch the little pink triangle in to make them. I thought about this after the fact, but I’m going to try that next time. Ooh purple would be super cute!

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